The United States announced Thursday  new port fees targeting Chinese-built vessels, set to take effect in October and increase over three years. This move aims to curb China’s dominance in global shipbuilding and enhance national economic security.​

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated that the fees, authorized under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, are designed to undermine China’s economic capabilities in maritime shipping and stimulate demand for U.S.-built ships.​

The revised plan imposes fees based on vessel tonnage or container count, with exemptions for ships operating between U.S. ports or arriving empty to load U.S. exports.

Reactions to the policy have been mixed; some view it as a step toward revitalizing U.S. shipbuilding, while others caution about potential increases in shipping costs and consumer prices.